Merchandise display system

ABSTRACT

Merchandise display system includes a suspending mechanism for suspending a plurality of articles therefrom. The suspending mechanism has a suspending member sized and shaped so as to extend from a support member in a generally downward direction such that the plurality of articles can be fed downwardly along the suspending member. A guiding mechanism is also provided for positioning the plurality of articles in proper orientation. The guiding mechanism includes a guiding member sized and shaped so as to extend from the support member and engageable with side portions of the plurality of articles. The guiding member also includes an end sized and shaped so as to wrap around a lower front portion of an article located at a forward end of the plurality of articles for orienting the plurality of articles in a substantially upright orientation.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This is a non-provisional application relating to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/261,146 filed Jan. 12, 2001 andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/306,774 filed Jul. 20, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to display systems and, moreparticularly, to a merchandise display system of a gravity-feed type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past, various systems have been used for displayingmerchandise packages (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,479,583; 4,616,753;5,180,128; 5,626,243; and 5,762,207). For instance, with reference toFIGS. 15 and 16, a conventional gravity-fed peg hook display system A isprovided with a peg hook B adapted to be mounted from a pegboard C. Whenmounted, the peg hook B is angled downwardly relative to the pegboard Csuch that packages D loaded thereon are fed automatically in a forwarddirection (as indicated by arrow E in FIG. 15). Because the displaysystem A is not provided with guide mechanisms for properly orientingdisplayed packages, the packages D tend to become arranged in adisorderly and disorganized manner. For instance, the packages D locatedat the front end of the display system A tend to tilt upwardly (asindicated by arrow F in FIG. 15) by the weight of the packages D locatedat the rear end of same. As a result, at least some of the packages D donot assume an upright or vertical position. Moreover, the packages Dtend to stick or swing out laterally (as indicated by arrows G in FIG.16), thereby making them appear disorderly and disorganized.

[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,742,923, 5,855,282 and 6,092,674 disclosepackage display systems. While these systems are equipped with some formof guide mechanisms, they suffer from various problems and shortcomings.For instance, these display systems are not adapted for easyadjustability for accommodating packages having different sizes. In suchcircumstances, there is a need for a merchandise display systemaddressing problems associated with conventional merchandise displaysystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages andshortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new andimproved merchandise display system. More particularly, the merchandisedisplay system includes a suspending mechanism for suspending aplurality of articles therefrom. The suspending mechanism has asuspending member sized and shaped so as to extend from a support memberin a generally downward direction such that the plurality of articlescan be fed downwardly along the suspending member. A guiding mechanismis also provided for positioning the plurality of articles in properorientation. The guiding mechanism includes a guiding member sized andshaped so as to extend from the support member and engageable with sideportions of the plurality of articles. The guiding member also includesan end sized and shaped so as to wrap around a lower front portion of anarticle located at a forward end of the plurality of articles fororienting the plurality of articles in a substantially uprightorientation. The merchandise display system can also be provided with asupporting mechanism for supporting thereon the plurality of articlessuspended from the suspending mechanism.

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thesuspending mechanism, the supporting mechanism and the guiding mechanismcan be formed as independent and discrete members which can beindependently and selectively mounted to a support panel of the supportmember. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,the suspending mechanism and the guiding mechanism can be formed as asingle assembly. In accordance with yet another embodiment of thepresent invention, the suspending mechanism and the guiding mechanismcan be supported from a horizontal support tube of the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merchandise display systemconstructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display system shown in FIG. 1and mounted to a pegboard;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the display system shown inFIG. 2;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified version of the displaysystem shown in FIGS. 1-3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another modified version of thedisplay system shown in FIGS. 1-3;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a merchandise display systemconstructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the display system shown in FIG. 6and mounted to a pegboard;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of the display system shown inFIG. 7;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a merchandise display systemconstructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a side schematic view of a merchandise display systemconstructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a merchandise display systemconstructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a section of thedisplay system shown in FIG. 11;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a side schematic view of the section shown in FIG. 11;

[0021]FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a modified version of an attachmentmechanism of the display system shown in FIG. 11;

[0022]FIG. 15 is a side schematic view of a conventional merchandisedisplay system; and

[0023]FIG. 16 is a front schematic view of the conventional displaysystem shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Although the present invention can be used in conjunction withany type of merchandise display systems, it is particularly suitable foruse in connection with a gravity-feed display system. Accordingly, thepresent invention will be described hereinafter in connection with sucha display system. It should be understood, however, that the followingdescription is only meant to be illustrative of the present inventionand is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, which hasapplicability to other types of display systems.

[0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a merchandise display system 10 constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Moreparticularly, the display system 10 is provided with a pegboard 11having a plurality of openings 12. The display system 10 also includes apeg hook 14 having a pair of prongs 16 which are sized and shaped so asto be inserted into a pair of adjacent openings 12 for removablymounting the peg hook 14 to the pegboard 11. A peg rod 18 is fixedlyattached to the prongs 16 such that when the peg hook 14 is mounted tothe pegboard 11, the rod 18 extends from the pegboard 11 in a generallydownward manner (see FIG. 3). The rod 18 also includes an end portion 20located opposite the prongs 16 and angled upwardly with respect to therest of the rod 18.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display system 10 also includes asupport hook 24 equipped with a bracket 26 at one end thereof. Thebracket 26 is provided with a pair of prongs 28 which are sized andshaped so as to be inserted into a pair of adjacent openings 12 of thepegboard 11 for removably mounting the support hook 24 to the pegboard11. A U-shaped support rod 30 is fixedly attached to the bracket 26 suchthat when the support hook 24 is mounted to the pegboard 11, the supportrod 30 extends from the pegboard 11 in a generally downward manner (seeFIG. 3).

[0027] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display system 10 alsoincludes a guide hook 34 equipped with a bracket 36 at one end thereof.The bracket 36 is provided with a pair of prongs 38 which are sized andshaped so as to be inserted into a pair of adjacent openings 12 of thepegboard 11 for removably mounting the guide hook 34 to the pegboard 11.The guide hook 34 includes a U-shaped guide rod 40 having a guidesection 42, which is fixedly attached to the bracket 36, and a stopsection 44, which projects from an end of the guide section 42. The stopsection 44 is oriented at an angle (e.g., a 90° angle) with respect tothe guide section 42 for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. The guideand stop sections 42, 44 are sized and shaped such that when the guidehook 34 is mounted to the pegboard 11, the guide section 42 is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the pegboard 11 (i.e., extendshorizontally) and the stop section 44 extends substantially parallel tothe pegboard 11 (see FIG. 3).

[0028] For displaying merchandise packages 80, the peg hook 14 ismounted to the pegboard 11 at a desired location (see FIGS. 2 and 3).The packages 80 are then loaded to the peg hook 14. Next, the supporthook 24 is mounted to the pegboard 11 below the peg hook 14 such thatthe rod 18 of the peg hook 14 extends substantially parallel to the rod30 of the support hook 24 and such that bottom ends 82 of the packages80 are supported on the support rod 30. The guide hook 34 is thenmounted to the pegboard 11 between the peg hook 14 and the support hook24 such that the guide section 42 is spaced from the peg hook 14 and thesupport hook 24 in a lateral direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and such thatthe stop section 44 is located above a front end of the support hook 24(see FIGS. 2 and 3). More particularly, the guide section 42 is adaptedto engage associated lateral sides 84 (see FIG. 2) of the packages 80,while the stop section 44 is adapted to engage a lower portion 86 (seeFIG. 3) of the front package 80′ (i.e., the package located at theforward end of the display system 10). When the front package 80′ isremoved from the display system 10, the remaining packages 80 are fed ina downward direction towards the end portion 20 of the peg hook 14(i.e., they slide along the rod 18 of the peg hook 14 and the rod 30 ofthe support hook 24).

[0029] It should be appreciated that the peg hook 14, the support hook24 and the guide hook 34 cooperate with one another so as to maintainthe packages 80 in orderly and organized fashion (e.g., in a linear andupright orientation). For instance, the weight of the packages 80 issupported not only by the peg hook 14 but also by the support hook 24.As a result, the peg hook 14 is inhibited from over-bending. In thisregard, the U-shaped rod 30 of the support hook 24 functions todistribute the weight of the packages 80 evenly, thereby providingenhanced stability to the packages 80 and reducing the amount of stressapplied to the peg hook 14 by same. Moreover, the guide section 42 ofthe guide hook 34 is adapted to engage the lateral sides 84 of thepackages 80, thereby inhibiting same from sticking out laterally. Forexample, when the front package 80′ is removed from the display system10 and the remaining packages 80 are hence fed in a downward directiontoward the end portion 20 of the peg hook 14, the guide section 42inhibits the remaining packages 80 from swinging laterally and therebymaintains same in a substantially linear orientation (see FIG. 2). Inaddition, the stop section 44 of the guide hook 34 engages the lowerportion 86 of the front package 80′ such that the front package 80′ andhence the remaining packages 80 are inhibited from tilting upwardly (seeFIG. 3). In other words, the stop section 44 maintains the packages 80in a substantially upright (i.e., vertical) position.

[0030] It should also be appreciated that because the peg hook 14, thesupport hook 24 and the guide hook 34 are formed as independent anddiscrete members removably mounted to the pegboard 11, they provideenhanced adjustability for accommodating packages having different sizesand/or shapes. More particularly, because the peg hook 14, the supporthook 24 and the guide hook 34 can be independently and selectivelymounted to the pegboard 11 at infinitely varying locations with respectto one another, they are adapted for universal use in connection with anumber of merchandise packages having many different sizes and/orshapes.

[0031] It should be noted that the display system 10 can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, the display system 10 can beused without the support hook 24 or the guide hook 34. Further, theU-shaped guide hook 34 can be provided with a single rod construction(see, for instance, FIG. 4). Moreover, the U-shaped rod 30 of thesupport hook 24 can also be provided with a single rod constructionsimilar to that of the guide hook 34 shown in FIG. 4. In addition, themechanisms for mounting the peg hook 14, the support hook 24 and theguide hook 34 to the pegboard 11 (i.e., the brackets 26 and 36 andprongs 16, 28, 38) are interchangeable and/or can be replaced with otherconventional mounting mechanisms. Further, while the guide hook 34 isillustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as being located on the right side of thedisplay system 10, it can be located on the left side, provided that thestop section 44 is bent in an opposite direction (see, for instance,FIG. 5) The order of mounting the peg hook 14, the support hook 24 andthe guide hook 34 to the pegboard 11 can also be different from the onedescribed above, depending upon user preferences, package sizes/shapes,etc.

[0032] FIGS. 6-8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIGS. 11-14 depict second, third,fourth and fifth embodiments, respectively, of the present invention.Elements illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIGS. 11-14,which correspond, either identically or substantially, in function orstructure to the elements described above with respect to the displaysystem 10 of FIGS. 1-3 have been designated by corresponding referencenumerals increased by one hundred, two hundred, three hundred and fourhundred, respectively. Unless otherwise stated or illustrated herein,the embodiments of FIGS. 6-14 are constructed and operate in the samebasic manner as the display system 10 of FIGS. 1-3.

[0033]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a merchandise display system 110 constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Moreparticularly, the display system 110 is provided with a pegboard 111having a plurality of openings 112. The display system 110 also includesa peg hook unit 145 having an elongated support member 146. The supportmember 146 has a rectangular shape and top and bottom portions 148, 150.Bridges 152 a, 152 b, 152 c are provided for interconnecting the topportion 148 of the support member 146 to the bottom portion 150 and arespaced substantially equally along the support member 146. The supportmember 146 also includes a plurality of brackets 154 a, 154 b, 154 cwhich are fixedly attached to the bridges 152 a, 152 b, 152 c,respectively, as well as to the top portion 148 of the support member146. The brackets 154 a, 154 b, 154 c are provided with prongs 116 a,116 b, 116 c, respectively, which are sized and shaped so as to beinserted into the openings 112 of the pegboard 111 for mounting the peghook unit 145 to the pegboard 111. Mounting hooks 114 a, 114 b, 114 c,114 d extend from the support member 146 and include hook rods 118 a,118 b, 118 c, 118 d, respectively. The rods 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 dare provided with leg portions 156 a, 156 b, 156 c, 156 d, respectively.The leg portions 156 a, 156 b, 156 c, 156 d are fixedly attached to thetop and bottom portions 148, 150 of the support member 146 such thatwhen the peg hook unit 145 is mounted to the pegboard 111, the rods 118a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d extend from the pegboard 111 in a generallydownward manner (see FIG. 8). The rods 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d alsoinclude reinforcing members 158 a, 158 b, 158 c, 158 d, respectively,connected to the top portion 148 of the support member 146 and the rods118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d, respectively, for purposes to be discussedhereinafter. Alternatively, the reinforcing members 158 a, 158 b, 158 c,158 d can be attached to the leg portions 156 a, 156 b, 156 c, 156 d,respectively. The rods 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d also include upwardlyangled end portions 120 a, 120 b 120 c, 120 d located opposite the legportions 156 a, 156 b, 156 c, 156 d, respectively, functioning as a stopfor packages supported therefrom.

[0034] Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the display system 110 alsoincludes a retainer member 160 having laterally spaced horizontalsections 162 a, 162 b, laterally spaced angled sections 164 a, 164 b anda retainer section 166. More particularly, the horizontal sections 162a, 162 b are connected to the angled section 164 a, 164 b, respectively,which in turn are connected to the retainer section 166. The retainermember 160 also includes brackets 136 a, 136 b provided with prongs 138a, 138 b, respectively, for mounting the retainer member 160 to thepegboard 111. The brackets 136 a, 136 b are fixedly attached to ends ofthe horizontal sections 162 a, 162 b, respectively, such that when theretainer member 160 is mounted to the pegboard 111, the horizontalsections 162 a, 162 b extend from the pegboard 111 in a substantiallyhorizontal fashion, the angled sections 164 a, 164 b are oriented at adownward angle with respect to the pegboard 111 and the retainer section166 is substantially parallel relative to the pegboard 111. Guide rods140 a, 140 b, 140 c project from the retainer section 166 at a directionsubstantially parallel to the angled sections 164 a, 164 b.

[0035] For displaying merchandise packages 180, the peg hook unit 145 ismounted to the pegboard 111. Next, the packages 180 are mounted to therods 118a, 118b, 118c, 118d of the peg hook unit 145. The retainermember 160 is then mounted to the pegboard 111 below the peg hook unit145 such that the retainer section 166 engages lower portions 186 of thefront packages (i.e., those positioned at the front end of the displaysystem 110) and such that the guide rods 140 a, 140 b, 140 c and theangled section 164 b engage associated lateral sides of the packages180. In this manner, the retainer section 166 inhibits the frontpackages and hence the remaining packages from tilting in an upwarddirection and thereby maintains the packages 180 in an upright (i.e.,vertical) position. The guide rods 140 a, 140 b, 140 c and the angledsection 164 b also inhibit the packages 180 from swinging (i.e.,sticking) out laterally, thereby maintaining the packages 180 in asubstantially linear fashion.

[0036] It should be appreciated that the display system 110 providesnumerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance,the display system 110 shares many of the same advantages provided bythe display system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. Moreover, the reinforcingmembers 158 a, 158 b, 158 c, 158 d of the peg hook unit 145 provideadditional support to the rods 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d, respectively,and hence inhibit the rods 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d from over-bendingwhen packages are loaded thereon.

[0037] It should also be noted that the display system 110 can have manymodifications and variations. For instance, although four mounting hooks114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the displaysystem 110 can be provided with a different number of mounting hooksdepending on available spaces, package sizes, etc. Moreover, the guiderods 140 a, 140 b, 140 c can be eliminated from the display system 110.In addition, the peg hook unit 145 and/or the retainer member 160 can betreated with a suitable coating process (e.g. powder coating and zincplating) for the purpose of providing them with a smooth slipperysurface so as to enhance their appearance and/or functions (e.g. thepackages 180 can slid easily on the peg hook unit 145 and/or theretainer member 160).

[0038]FIG. 9 illustrates a merchandise display system 210 constructed inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Moreparticularly, the display system 210 includes a bracket 254, which has apair of prongs 216, and a hook rod 218, which is equipped with a legportion 256 fixedly attached to the bracket 254. A reinforcing member258 is connected between the rod 218 and the leg 256 for providingadditional support to the rod 218 and hence inhibiting same fromover-bending when packages (not shown in FIG. 9) are loaded on the rod218. The display system 210 also includes a guide rod 240 having a legsection 241, which is connected to the bracket 254, a guide section 242,which extends from the leg section 241 at an angle (e.g., a 90° angle),and a stop section 244, which extends from the guide section 242 at anangle (e.g., a 90° angle). The guide section 242 is sized and shaped soas to engage associated lateral sides of the packages and to inhibitsame from swinging out laterally. In this manner, the guide section 242maintains the packages in a substantially linear fashion. Likewise, thestop section 244 is sized and shaped so as to engage the front packageto maintain the packages in a substantially upright position. Thedisplay system 210 has a rigid construction. Alternatively, the displaysystem 210 can be made such that the orientation of the guide rod 240can be adjusted to accommodate packages having different sizes.

[0039]FIG. 10 illustrates a merchandise display system 310 constructedin accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Thedisplay system 310 has a construction and operation identical to thoseof the display system 10 of FIGS. 1-3, except as follows. The displaysystem 310 includes a peg hook 314 which is provided with a peg rod 318having a horizontal section 370. The horizontal section 370, which ispreferably ¾ inch to 1 inch in length, is angled relative to the peg rod318 such that when the peg hook 314 is properly mounted to a pegboard311, the horizontal section 370 assumes a substantially horizontalorientation. The display system 310 also includes a U-shaped supporthook 324 which is provided with a support rod 330 having a horizontalsection 331. The horizontal section 331 of the support rod 330 has alength ranging preferably from ¾ inch to 1 inch. The horizontal section331 is also angled relative to the support rod 330 such that when thesupport hook 324 is properly mounted to the pegboard 311, the horizontalsection 331 assumes a substantially horizontal orientation.Alternatively, the support rod 330 can have a construction identical tothat of the support rod 30 of the display system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3(i.e., the support rod 330 can be linear throughout its length).

[0040] Due to the horizontal section 370 of the peg rod 318 and/or thehorizontal section 331 of the support rod 330, less weight is exerted onpackages 380 located at the horizontal sections 370, 331 (i.e., at thefront sections of the peg rod 318 and support rod 330) by packageslocated behind same. In this manner, the horizontal section 370 and/orthe horizontal section 331 further assist the packages 380 to assume anupright position. In addition, the horizontal sections 370, 331cooperate to reduce friction between packages 380 located at thehorizontal sections 370, 331, thereby facilitating the removal of thefront package 3801 from the display system 310.

[0041] It should be noted that display system 310 can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, the display system 310 canbe used without the support hook 324. In such circumstances, thediameter of the peg hook 318 can be increased to compensate for the lackof bottom support. The horizontal section 370 and/or the horizontalsection 331 can also be modified such that they are angled upwardly fromthe peg rod 318 and the support rod 330, respectively, when the peg hook314 and the support hook 324 are mounted from the pegboard 311. In thismanner, the weight of the packages 380 located at the horizontalsections 370, 331 can counteract with the weight of the packages 380located behind same, further assisting the packages 380 to assume aproper orientation. This modification is particularly suitable when thedisplay system 310 is used without the support hook 324.

[0042] It should also be noted that the horizontal section 370 of thepeg rod 318 and/or horizontal section 331 of the support rod 330 can beincorporated into one or more of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9. Forinstance, a horizontal section can be provided in the mounting hooks 114a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 and in the hookrod 218 of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0043] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a merchandise display system 410constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. For the sake of clarity, it is noted that FIG. 11 shows onlyone side of the display system 410, the opposite side being a mirrorimage thereof. That is, the opposite side of the display system 410 hasa construction basically identical to the side shown in FIG. 11. In suchcircumstances, the following discussion of the display system 410 willnot include a discussion of the construction and operation of theopposite side.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 11, the display system 410 includes a supportframe assembly 470 having a plurality of rear vertical tubes 472. Therear vertical tubes 472 extend in a vertical direction and are arrangedlinearly along a rear side of the display system 410 (i.e., in a lateraldirection). Each of the rear vertical tubes 472 is provided with aplurality of U-shaped supporting bracket 474 securely attached (e.g.,welded or bolted) thereto. Top and bottom horizontal tubes 476 extendbetween opposing lateral sides 478 (only one of which is shown in FIG.11) of the display system 410 for securing the rear vertical tubes 472thereto. Lateral top and bottom tubes 490 project in a directiontransverse to the rear side of the display system 410, while a frontvertical tube 494 is connected to the lateral top and bottom tubes 490.A top horizontal tube 477 extends from the front vertical tube 494 to afront vertical tube (not shown) located on the opposite lateral side ofthe display system 410. Likewise, an intermediate horizontal tube 496extends from the lateral bottom tube 490 to a lateral bottom tube (notshown) located on the opposite side of the display system 410. A racksubassembly 498 extends between the lateral sides 478 of the displaysystem 410 for supporting display boxes thereon (as indicated by brokenline representation in FIG. 11). Each of the tubes 472, 476, 477, 490,494, 496 of the support frame assembly 470 discussed above is preferablymade from a rigid material, such as steel, and has a square-shapedcross-section. Alternatively, the tubes 472, 476, 477, 490, 494, 496 canbe provided with different cross-sectional shapes.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the display system 410 is alsoprovided with a horizontal support tube 497 which has a pair of ends495. The horizontal support tube 497 is preferably made from a rigidmaterial, such as steel, and has a square-shaped cross-section.Alternatively, the horizontal support tube 497 can be provided with adifferent cross-sectional shape. Each of the ends 495 of the horizontalsupport tube 497 is sized and shaped so as to be removably received in acorresponding one of the U-shaped brackets 474 such that the horizontalsupport tube 497 can be securely mounted to the rear vertical tubes 472.The horizontal support tube 497 is provided with a mounting rod 414 anda guide rod 434. While additional mounting rods and guide rods areprovided on the horizontal support tube 497, because their constructionand operation are identical to those of the mounting rod 414 and theguide rod 434, respectively, they have been omitted from FIG. 11.

[0046] Still referring to FIGS. 11-13, the mounting rod 414 has aconstruction and operation basically identical to those of the peg hook314 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, except as follows. The mountingrod 414 has an end 416, which is received in the horizontal support tube497 through a hole formed therein, and a section 418 extending from theend 416. The section 418 of the mounting rod 414 is securely welded tothe horizontal support tube 497 at a rear portion thereof 418′. Themounting rod 414 is also provided with a horizontal section 470, whichprojects from the section 418 at an angle, and a tip 420 which projectsfrom the horizontal section 470 at an angle. In this manner, when thehorizontal support tube 497 is properly supported from the rear verticaltubes 472, the section 418 extends in a generally downward direction,while the horizontal section 470 assumes a substantially horizontalorientation.

[0047] The guide rod 434 has a construction and operation basicallyidentical to those of the guide rod 240 of the embodiment shown in FIG.9, except as follows. For instance, the guide rod 434 has an end 436extending through and secured (e.g., welded or bolted) to the horizontalsupport tube 497. A guide section 442 projects from the end 436, while astop section 444 projects from the guide section 442.

[0048] The display system 410 also includes horizontal support tubes 499(see FIG. 11). More particularly, each of the horizontal support tubes499 has a construction and operation identical to those of thehorizontal support tube 497. For instance, the horizontal support tubes499 have mounting rods and guide rods (not shown) similar to themounting rod 414 and the guide rod 434. In such circumstances, a furtherdiscussion of the construction and operation of the horizontal supporttubes 499 is considered unnecessary.

[0049] It should be noted that the display system 410 can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, the mounting rod 414 and theguide rod 434 can be attached to the horizontal support tube 497 by manydifferent mechanisms. By way of example, the mounting rod 414 can beattached to the horizontal support tube 497 by a clip 493 bolted to same(see FIG. 14). The support frame assembly 470 can also be provided withdifferent components or replaced with other supporting mechanisms. Thatis, the present invention can be used in connection with a wide range ofsupport mechanisms, including wall systems, pegboards, support framesand other supporting systems. Moreover, the display system 410 can beprovided with a support rod similar to the U-shaped support hook 324 ofFIG. 10.

[0050] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein aremerely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make manyvariations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. All such variations and modifications, including thosediscussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus adapted to be mounted to a support member fordisplaying articles, comprising suspending means for suspending aplurality of articles therefrom, said suspending means including asuspending member sized and shaped so as to extend from the supportmember in a generally downward direction such that the plurality ofarticles can be fed downwardly along said suspending member; and guidingmeans for positioning the plurality of articles in proper orientation,said guiding means including a guiding member sized and shaped so as toextend from the support member for engaging side portions of theplurality of articles, and said guiding member including an end sizedand shaped so as to wrap around a lower front portion of an articlelocated at a forward end of the plurality of articles for orienting theplurality of articles in a substantially upright orientation.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said guiding member has a rod-likeconstruction.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said guiding memberhas a guiding section extending in a first direction, said end of saidguiding member extending from said guiding section in a second directionsubstantially perpendicular to said first direction.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising supporting means for supporting thereon theplurality of articles, each of said suspending means, said guiding meansand said support means being independently and selectively mountable tothe support member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said supportingmeans includes first attaching means for removably attaching saidsupporting means to a support panel of the support member below saidsuspending means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said supportingmeans includes a U-shaped support rod extending from said firstattaching means such that when said supporting means is attached to thesupport panel, said U-shaped support rod extends from the support panelin a direction substantially parallel to said suspending member of saidsuspending means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said guidingmeans includes second attaching means f or removably attaching saidguiding means to the support panel at a location laterally offset fromsaid suspending means and said supporting means.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said guiding member includes a U-shaped guide rodhaving a guide section, which is attached to said second attachingmeans, and a stop section, which defines said end of said guidingmember.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said guide section extendsin a first direction; and said stop section extends from said guidesection in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said firstdirection.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said suspending meansincludes third attaching means for removably attaching said suspendingmeans to the support panel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidsuspending member extends from said third attaching means.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said suspending member includes aplurality of suspending rods, each of which is sized and shaped so as tosuspend the plurality of articles therefrom, said suspending rods beingformed as a first assembly.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein saidsuspending means includes first attaching means for removably attachingsaid first assembly to a support panel of the support member, said firstattaching means being fixedly attached to said suspending rods.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein said guiding member includes a pluralityof guide rods, each of which is sized and shaped so as to engage theside portions of a corresponding set of the plurality of articles, and aretainer rod which defines said end of said guiding member, saidretainer rod being attached to ends of said guide rods such that saidguide rods and said retainer rod form a second assembly.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein said guiding means includes secondattaching means for removably attaching said second assembly to thesupport panel.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said suspendingmeans includes reinforcing means for reinforcing said suspending rods soas to inhibit said suspending rods from over-bending when articles aresuspended from said suspending rods.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said suspending means and said guiding means are formed as asingle assembly.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprisingattaching means for removably attaching said assembly to a support panelof the support member, said suspending means and said guiding meansbeing fixedly attached to said attaching means.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein said suspending means includes reinforcing means forreinforcing said suspending member so as to inhibit said suspendingmember from over-bending when articles are suspended from saidsuspending member.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suspendingmeans and said guiding means are supported from a horizontal supportbeam of the support member.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein saidsuspending means and said guiding means are fixedly attached to thehorizontal support beam.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein thesupport member includes a frame assembly for supporting the horizontalsupport beam.